Majority Surveyed Thought Speeding is a Problem on U.S. Roadways
Speeding related car fatalities account for nearly a third of all traffic fatalities each year, close to 10,000 deaths. The U.S. Department of Transportation's
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a National Survey of Speeding Attitudes and Behavior in which nearly half of drivers surveyed said speeding is a problem on our nation's roads and highways. In fact, one in five drivers surveyed admitted to speeding, " I try to get where I am going as fast as I can" was a quote by one surveyed.
While an overwhelming 91 percent of surveyed individuals agreed with the statement, "everyone should obey the speed limits because its' the law", and half of all drivers, 48 percent said that it was very important that something be done to reduce speeding on U.S. roadways. In spite of the admitted knowledge of the safety benefits of following the speed limit, more than a quarter of those surveyed admitted, "speeding is something I do without thinking" and "I enjoy the feeling of driving fast." Furthermore, 16 percent felt that "driving over the speed limit is not dangerous for skilled drivers"
"The need for speed should never trump the need for safe and responsible driving" said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "Motorists who drive at excessive speeds put themselves and others at an increased risk of being involved in a crash and possibly of being injured or killed".
Males Vs. Females & Age Related to Speeding
Of those surveyed, male drivers admitted to speeding more compared to female drivers based on responses to questions. Also, drivers with least experience, 16-20 year old, admitted to speeding more frequently than any other age group. More than one in ten, 11 percent of drivers age 16-20, reported at least one speeding-related crash in the past five years compared to 4 percent of the population as a whole.
To encourage safe driving practice among teens, NHTSA launched "5 To Drive" campaign challenging parents to discuss five critical driving practices with their teenage drivers including the following:
- no speeding
- no cell phone use or texting while driving
- no extra passengers
- no alcohol and no driving and,
- no riding without a seatbelt.
Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teens in America; almost half of the teens are the drivers themselves. "Safety is our highest priority, especially when it comes to teens, who are often our least experienced drivers," said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "The '5 to Drive' campaign gives parents and teens a simple, straight forward checklist that can help them talk about good driving skills and most importantly, prevent a tragedy before it happens." Speeding was factor in 35 percent of
fatal crashes involving a teen driver.
Car Accidents Involving Speeding
Car accidents happen in mere seconds. When looking at the causes and factors involved in an accident, we look at the driver behaviors just preceding the accident such as where they speeding? Was the driver texting or on their phone? Did the driver keep a proper lookout? Was the driver speeding?
The study above confirms that majority of people agree that one must follow the laws of the road and speed limits are definitely laws of the road. Speed limits are set to increase safety for all and not merely to make driving inconvenient for drivers. So, plan your destination and allow a few extra minutes to arrive so that you are not inclined to speed. From the study, it was not surprising to find that most people have sped from time to time. Again, speeding and distracted driving two of the biggest causes of car accidents.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident and you suspect another factor such as distracted driving or speeding occurred, you may need a personal injury attorney. If you are injured, then you will definitely need a personal injury attorney. Our attorneys understand car accidents and the importance of thorough investigations. Call (800)685-3302 or locally (314) 276-1681 for a free consultation.
Source: NHTSA Finds Nearly Half of All Drivers Believe Speeding is a Problem on U.S. Roads. NHTSA. 12/11/13